PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle University men's basketball team fought back from a sizeable deficit and pulled to within four late, but was unable to finish the comeback in a 70-65 loss to Big 5 rival Temple at Tom Gola Arena on Saturday. Freshman Sherif Kenney scored 13 points to match junior David Beatty for team-high scoring honors, while senior Saul Phiri chipped in with 11.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• La Salle opened the game sluggish offensively and Temple took advantage, jumping out to a 24-11 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.
• The Explorers shot 30.8 percent and committed 12 first-half turnovers as the Owls took a 36-22 advantage into halftime.
• Freshman Brandon Stone connected on two of La Salle's five first-half three-pointers and had a team-high six points at the break.
• Temple continued to pad its cushion and pushed out to a 55-34 lead following two free throws by Quinton Rose at the 8:39 mark.
• La Salle did not go down quietly and scored 14 of the next 16 points, with a three-point play by Phiri closing the margin to 57-48 with 3:33 on the clock.
• The Owls were able to stem the tide and kept the Explorers at arms length until the closing minute, when three-pointers from Kenney and junior Scott Spencer put the score at 69-65.
• But time was not on La Salle's side, with less than two seconds remaining after the Spencer triple. Temple hit one of two free throws to close out the scoring.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Explorers utilized a three-point shooting attack that resulted in 15 made three-pointers, the most since they made 15 in a win over Saint Joseph's on Feb. 5, 2019.
• Six different players made at least one three-pointer, including four by Kenney and three by both Spencer and Beatty.
• La Salle committed 17 turnovers, just five after halftime, but did have 17 assists on 23 made field goals. Freshman Ayinde Hikim had six assists to lead the squad.
• Nate Pierre-Louis led all scorers with 21 points and added 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals.

UP NEXT

• La Salle will have a nine-day layoff before taking part in the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Fla. on Nov. 25-27.
• The Explorers will take on Murray State in the opening round of the tournament on Monday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
• In addition to La Salle and Murray State, the eight-team tournament field is comprised of Northeastern, South Alabama, Drake, Miami (Ohio), Wright State and Weber State.